Jarret Bell Article

As he buttoned his shirt in the empty locker room, Rivers pondered what he might have proved by demonstrating so much poise under pressure on a big stage.

"In my mind, I know what I can do," he said. "I guess the people that don't know — it was my fourth game — I guess there's some things I showed tonight. I stood in there, made some throws. But I don't walk away going, 'Man, I can't believe I did that.' "

Then Rivers stopped and audibled to a bigger picture.

"You know what I think this does? It's bigger for my teammates," he said. "I can earn all the trust and respect I want in the offseason, by working hard, being there every day and all of that. But the bottom line in this deal is winning. I was able to show that in a big-time game, when the game's on the line, I'm able to do my part."